Pass Fail to Maintain High GPA?

I'm a freshman aiming for IB recruitment next year. I am taking some difficult courses in math & machine learning that might take my GPA down (it could be anything btwn 3.5 to 3.7, best case 3.9): I was considering Pass/Fail for one course that doesn't offer any curve at all and is thus the most risky.

Obviously Pass/Fail is bad for grad school, but for IB I heard that they prioritize a higher GPA as a resume screen? I was wondering how IB recruitment specifically looks at Pass/Fail, or if they even look at my transcript, and what you would recommend!